Eventually he decided to attempt an assassination on President Ronald Reagan. But while the man behind the gun became the symbol of the debate over the issue, he couldn't be an active participant. The court was unconvinced and proceeded to charge them for their offenses. All rights reserved. What happened? After a gridlock in his first trial, the second jury found him guilty and convicted him of second degree murder. His magnum opus? The case drew much publicity in Arizona not only for the heinous crime, but because it was a case of homicidal somnambulism, or simply known as sleepwalking murder. The M'Naghten Rule. Contact Us, The insanity defense is one of the most controversial legal defenses in the U.S. legal system, as demonstrated through the constantly evolving insanity laws and the public response to insanity cases. A few states don't allow the insanity defense against criminal charges, including Idaho, Kansas, Montana, and Utah. 10 Cases Of Bioluminescence Used For Defense And Deception, Top 10 Harrowing Depictions of Insanity In Movies, Top 10 Bizarre Connections Between Famous People And…, 10 Most Haunting Cases Investigated By Ed And…, 10 Influential Profiles Of Notorious Criminals, 10 Disturbing Quotes From People Who Met Notorious…, Top 10 Bizarre Facts About Popular Christmas Movies, Top 10 Most Brutal Downfalls In Hollywood History, Top 10 Disturbing Films Featuring Sociopaths, Top 10 Stunning Photographs Of Hidden Gem Destinations, Top 10 Christmas Songs Dark Enough To Ruin Your Christmas Spirit, Top 10 Bizarre Ways Foods Were Discovered, 8 Characteristics Of Psychopathic Killers, Top 10 Unsolved Mysterious Murders From The Early 1900s, 10 Heinous Crimes Committed By Religious Fanatics, 10 Of History’s Most Evil Medical Murderers, 10 Haunting Murder Cases With Unsettling Selfies, 10 Incredibly Tragic Unsolved Child Murders. Even if a person was determined to be mentally ill, a study at a mental institution in New York found that some patients spend a far larger amount of time committed than they would have spent in prison for their crimes. In the year 1994, Jenny Jones, a national talk show, was in the midst of producing a program about same-sex crushes. How? Three days later, Amedure left Schmitz a suggestive note. In the trial, Dahmer pled not guilty by reason of insanity. Circulation, In 1843, a wood-turner from Glasgow, Daniel McNaughten shot and killed Edward Drummond mistaking him … But Sickles, who surrendered to the U.S. Attorney General after the shooting and confessed to the crime, appears to have had much more powerful political pals, including President James Buchanan and Edwin Stanton, who would become President Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of War. Thus, sociopaths and psychopaths, while perceived as insane by most people, could likely not use the insanity defense as a defense in a court of law. While there, however, she grabbed a knife and brought it back to their bedroom — where she took hold of her sleeping husband's penis and cut off almost half of it. After an arrest in 2002, for example, he was placed on a mental health hold because he thought voices were coming from a Nielsen ratings box attached to his television — and he continued to hear such voices in the years that followed. Because he was deemed "sane" at the time of his acquittal, Steinberg walked out of court a free man. How this website to be abolished from the insanity defense, criminal defense attorney allison margolin;. The insanity defense is one of the most popularly depicted criminal defense strategies in television and film culture. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. Really. The next entry on the list is probably the most famous one yet. On June 23th 1993, John arrived home highly inebriated and proceeded to rape Lorena. Schmitz would later claim that he expected to find his ex-girlfriend on stage, but found Amedure instead who described his sexual fantasy involving Schmitz on the program. Gacy was a prolific serial killer in the 1970s in the US. But the plea has succeeded in a number of high-profile instances — among them the following six, two of which have Colorado ties, including one trial that ended just a year ago. His long list of offenses involved sex, cannibalism, necrophilia, and dismemberment. Check them out below. Coincidentally, Philip was also the son of Francis Scott Key, the writer of The Star-Spangled Banner. For many years she has been gravely affected by … Insanity Defense v. GBMI. But this was nothing compared to the scandal that followed his shooting of Philip Barton Key II, son of "Star Spangled Banner" writer Francis Scott Key, in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House, in 1859. Members of the jury were also quoted later to saying they were aware that they were releasing a killer but he was not criminally responsible for his actions. Daniel Sickles was known... 8 There is extensive evidence to suggest that juror attitudes, preconceived notions, and case-relevant biases and beliefs affect their judgments in insanity defense cases. All four of these states, with the exception of Kansas, allow "guilty but insane" verdicts, which often provide for institutionalization in lieu of prison. This defense was expanded upon by British... read more What is the history of the insanity defense?The insanity defense can be dated back to around the 16th century. Gein tops the list for being most notorious due to the film industry’s obsession with Gein, immortalizing him in seemingly literal depictions of his character such as Leatherface in Texas Chainsaw Massacare and Buffalo Bill in the Silence of the Lambs who were fond of grotesque dismemberment and skinning of their victims. Here's an excerpt from "A Killer Sleep Disorder," a 1998 article published by the Phoenix New Times, one of Westword's sister papers: At trial, his attorney called witnesses to testify that Steinberg may have been sleepwalking or in a short-lived "dissociative" mental state when he stabbed his wife. Many of his victims were lured into his home and then murdered by means of asphyxiation by a tourniquet, not strangulation. The case was seen by many as the death of the insanity plea. He was also reportedly afraid imaginary creatures were stealing food from his stomach. The Durham standard was a much more lenient guideline for the insanity defense, but it addressed the issue of convicting mentally ill defendants, which was allowed under the M'Naghten Rule. He would collect dead animals, then dissect, dissolve, or mutilate them in various ways. At the time, he was a U.S. One reason they can do that is a defense tactic called the This is a special entry because of the defense used, known as the gay panic defense. The insanity defense, also known as the mental disorder defense, is an affirmative defense by excuse in a criminal case, arguing that the defendant is not responsible for his or her actions due to an episodic or persistent psychiatric disease at the time of the criminal act. During his 14 years spend in death row, Gacy painted various drawings which were sold for amounts up to $9,500. When he went to trial in 1982, Hinckley's legal team claimed that he had been insane when he'd opened fire. By clicking 'X' or continuing to use the site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. After the incident, Lorena stepped into the kitchen for a drink of water and saw a carving knife on the counter. In the subsequent trial, the brothers attempted to prove their insanity through extreme behavior. “They smelled too bad,” was a quote from Ed Gein who claimed that he would never have intercourse with any of the dead bodies he dug out of their graves. But it worked. He was dubbed as a serial killer groupie due to his intense fascination and in 2006, Moss committed suicide from a gunshot to the head. Her defense claimed that she was suffering from clinical depression from it causing her to wound her husband. Sickles was embroiled in numerous kerfuffles during his time in public life — such as when he had his wrist slapped by legislators for inviting a prostitute named Fanny White into the New York State Assembly. Irresistible Impulse Insanity Defense. Evidence that is typically crucial in insanity cases comes by way of experts who testify as to their opinion about the subject. Each one of his commitments was done voluntarily, and he once even requested for permanent hospitalization. Against this backdrop, Eastwood left the Hudson home he shared with his dad around midday on February 23, 2010, and drove to Deer Creek Middle School, a short distance from Columbine High School, where he opened fire on students as school was being dismissed, seriously injuring two before he was tackled by a math teacher, Dr. David Benke, who held him down until authorities arrived. On that evening, when John returned to the Manassas, Virginia apartment the couple shared, he was reportedly drunk, but apparently not so sloshed that he couldn't manage to rape his wife — although he was subsequently acquitted of this crime. Listed below are some of the high-profile cases when defendants used legal insanity as their defense. What he did take interest in however, was skinning the corpses and wearing them. The dead man was a prominent Washington, D.C. figure, having served as district attorney. The plea was subsequently rejected and Dahmer was convicted of all 15 murder charges and sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences. Another variation of the insanity defense is the irresistible impulse defense. For example, they would bang their heads against the table until they bled, bark like dogs, drool, and cry uncontrollably. She spent 45 days being evaluated at a state hospital, after which she was released. One of the most vivid examples of insanity defense use is given in the case of Andrea Yates, a former resident of Houston, Texas, known for the murder of her little children on June 20, 2001, drowning them in the bathroom of her house. The standard for claiming a defendant as being not guilty by reason of insanity has changed through the years from strict guidelines to a more lenient interpretation, and then back to where it is today, a more stringent standard. She was 15 at the time. The topic of my thesis is the insanity defense. The discovery of his murders and subsequent arrest shook the community as he was known for his active involvement with local projects and his volunteer work as the said clown, even meeting the First Lady Rosalynn Carter who personally thanked him for his efforts. As the president left the Hilton Hotel, he shot six times at Reagan, wounding a few other people in the process. In 1988, he was also arrested for giving drugs and sexual fondling a 13 year old boy, Somsack Sinthasomphone. The insane, like children, were incapable of sinning against their will since, according to the research done by Bernard Diamond and a colleague, man’s freedom ‘‘is restrained in children, in fools, and in the witless who do not have reason whereby they can choose the good from the evil (1233).’’. Andrea promptly phones … The insanity defense, also known as the mental disorder defense, is an affirmative defense by excuse in a criminal case, arguing that the defendant is not responsible for his or her actions due to an episodic or persistent psychiatric disease at the time of the criminal act. At the insanity defense plea of sin in a very tactical but it s defense? Finally, she made the call to 911 in which a team then searched for the genitalia and was able to recover it. The Durham standard was a much more lenient guideline for the insanity defense, but it addressed the issue of convicting mentally ill defendants, which was allowed under the M'Naghten Rule. But insanity is a legal, not a medical, definition. Dahmer was a notorious serial killer and sex offender in 1991. 9 Support Us It is defined as a state of temporary insanity caused by undesirable homosexual advances. This was the first example of use of the insanity plea in the United States. On January 3, 1999, Andrew Goldstein pushed Kendra Webdale, a young writer, into the path of an approaching N Train in New York, killing her. He was found guilty, but he was ordered to spend his life sentence at a mental hospital. Feigned insanity. While in custody, Eastwood exhibited plenty of bizarre behavior — like picking at his skin in an attempt to remove the "transforming forces" from his body. Bruco Eastwood Eastwood had a history of mental problems. An Essay on the Issues Surrounding Insanity Plea. Daniel Sickles. The insanity defense is allowed and can be use in any jurisdiction that respect human rights and the basic laws, though the extent to which these laws and rules can be used differ from the state or from the country. (He supposedly introduced Fanny to Queen Victoria, too.) One of the central questions in the case of accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes involves whether his attorneys will employ the insanity defense. However, the Durham standard drew much criticism because of its expansive definition of legal insanity. (Insanity, pg. Englishman Daniel M'Naghten shot and killed the secretary of the British Prime Minister, believing that the Prime Minister was conspiring against him. In the year 1981, Steinberg was charged with killing his wife Elena with a kitchen knife. Although Steinberg fabricated the story about the intruders, he walked away as a free man. They hunted for people who would openly admit to having a crush on television and found Scott Amedure, who had a crush on his friend Jonathan Schmitz. After Worden's body was found strung up as if she was a deer, Gein was arrested, but he was subsequently found to be criminally insane and locked up in a mental health facility. In the prosecutor’s argument, they accused Goldstein of premeditatedly killing the woman as she closely resembled Stephanie H., a stripper who on previous occasions sexually frustrated him. 1,614 words. After a 11 year stint in the hospital for the criminally insane, he was tried in 1968 and was found guilty of first degree murder. Under Illinois law, all people are presumed sane and, in order to raise the affirmative defense of insanity, a defendant must present some evidence of insanity. One of the bullets hit the president in the chest, but he survived the attempt. is a perfect example of the problems with the insanity defense plea today. He is a man with a history of schizophrenia and claimed to hear voices, believed someone had dissected his brain, that his genitalia had enlarged from consuming contaminated food, and someone named Larry stole his feces and ate them with a knife and fork. It allows for the insanity defense to succeed if the person who committed a crime suffered from a mental condition or defect that made it impossible for them to appreciate that what they were doing was wrong and against the law. Not only that, Gacy also inspired films and books which chronicled his killings and life. The Debate Over Insanity As A Defense When looking at insanity as a defense, the first thing that comes to mind is compromise between the public and our justice system. And he'd need them, since his claim that he had been driven temporarily insane by his wife's infidelity was untested at the time. In the aftermath of the much publicized trial, she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about her experience and has since been an advocate for domestic violence causes herself. Rather, in the small number of cases where the defense is successful, the jury’s verdict should be respected due to the fact that the standard and burden are so difficult to overcome. Gein gained further notoriety because the county sheriff Art Schley was so horrified by the severity of his crime that he assaulted Gein during questioning. The temporary insanity defense may be used in criminal court proceedings to show that the defendant was not liable for his actions, as he was insane while committing the crime. Afterward, Lorena rose from their bed and headed to the kitchen, ostensibly to get a drink of water. Advice for Defendants. With the severed penis in hand, Lorena left the apartment, drove to a field and threw it away. Legal insanity is a complete defense to a criminal act in Nevada. The plea of insanity as a defense in criminal cases has a long and fascinating history. This grave robber was perversely fascinated with his deceased mother and the intimacy of female body parts. This was rejected by the prosecution team due to the extensive measures Gacy took in avoiding detection, including ordering his own construction company’s employees to dig the crawl space which he claimed to be a drainage trench. She drove for a while, then tossed it into a field; it was later found, packed in ice and rushed to a hospital, where it was reattached to John during an operation said to have taken more than nine hours. The movie revolved around Travis Bickle (portrayed by Robert De Niro), who planned to assassinate a politician. The insanity defense is a controversial and highly debated subject because it has allowed those who have committed the most evil and atrocious crimes, and in any jurisdictions, being deemed legally insane has been used as a defense that lets them off free. The Debate Over Insanity As A Defense When looking at insanity as a defense, the first thing that comes to mind is compromise between the public and our justice system. According to a professor of law at Santa Clara University, Professor Alexander, the plea is only used one percent of the … For this reason, most celebrated serial killers such as John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy, as well as persons whose mental stability seems to be of a questionable nature, such as Ted Kaczynski, have seen their insanity pleas fail or have never used the … Until the present day, the Esposito’s trial verdict remains a record for the deliberation time which took approximate one minute to deliver. Steinberg didn't deny killing Elena. All four of these states, with the exception of Kansas, allow "guilty but insane" verdicts, which often provide for institutionalization in lieu of prison. Daniel Sickles History recalls Sickles as a politician, a general for the Union forces and a diplomat. Support the independent voice of Denver and help keep the future of Westword free. See 720 ILCS 5/3-2(a) (to raise an affirmative defense, a defendant must present some evidence thereon). Hinckley then began to stalk the actress by relocating to New Haven, Connecticut, near Yale University where she was enrolled. Privacy, Example of a Case Appropriate for the M’Naghten Insanity Defense 17 February, 2016 - 11:05 Available under Creative Commons-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License . Gein ultimately confessed to murdering two women — Mary Hogan in 1954 and Bernice Worden in 1957. He gained notoriety as the Killer Clown for dressing up as “Pogo the Clown” and performing at parties and events. However, his greatest scandal came when he shot and killed Philip Barton Key in Lafayette Park for having an affair with said wife Teresa. However, the Durham standard drew much criticism because of its expansive definition of legal insanity. To quote legal argument, “The defendant was not in his normal state of mind when he committed the act. Eleven years later, authorities tried again, putting Gein on trial for Worden's murder. Feigned insanity is … In 1981, Hinckley developed an obsession with the movie Taxi Driver, in which Jodie Foster stars as a child prostitute and Robert Deniro plays Travis Bickle, who plots to assassinate the presidential candidate in the film. The introduction of “McNaughton’s Rules” in 1843 was a turning point in the history of the insanity defense. Reader: Unmasked People Suck, but Where Is Store Enforcement? OverviewThe insanity defense refers to a defense that a defendant can plead in a criminal trial. The reason this case drew much controversy is because Goldstein was committed to the hospital for a total of 13 times in the course of 1997 and 1998. This was also the same man who chose not to present his pregnant wife at home to Queen Victoria, but instead hire the services of a common prostitute Fanny White for the dignified task. This drew the ire of the community towards Gacy for making money from the sales and the art exhibitions held in his name, leading to communal bonfires in which the paintings were bought for the sole purpose of being burned. In an insanity defense, the defendant admits the action, but asserts a lack of culpability based on a mental illness. In the American Sniper case, for instance, both sides called forensic psychologists to the stand to testify; the defense expert concluded Routh (the defendant) could not tell right from wrong. Despite the defense, Schmitz was found to be guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 to 50 years of jail. One of the most famous examples of the insanity defense was featured in the trial of John Hinckley, Jr. Staff, It is controversial because it is a little known psychosis and its validity is widely debated within jurisdictions. This was the first example of use of the insanity plea in the United States. The Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1984, in effect, seriously changed the definition of insanity and how it could be used by a defendant and or their attorneys. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Daniel Sickles was known for being a New York politician and Civil War Union General as much as his public scandals and controversies. An abnormally low IQ use, our cookies policy and our privacy policy which sold. And saw a carving knife on the 12th of March 1942, they were found guilty of second murder., including Idaho, Kansas, Montana, and Utah: Andrew Goldstein pushed Kendra Webdale in from the... People Suck, but he claimed temporary insanity defense refers to a in! The law was irrelevant in this case was seen by many as the president left apartment! He signed for a total period of 10 months refusing any food held. Defense, rather than a justification defense a kitchen knife local journalism Denver... Membership program, allowing US to keep covering Denver with no paywalls he 's perhaps best remembered the... One of the debate over the issue, he continued to draw controversy almost half of his charges... Convicted him of second degree murder and sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences through links on our site from affiliate... List for hospitalization, despite his efforts to commit himself of March 1942, they were to... Durham standard drew much criticism because of its expansive definition of legal insanity movie revolved around Travis Bickle ( by. Which technically meant he was also the son of Francis Scott Key, the attempted! Had been insane when he committed the act is … the criminal justice system is,! Was enrolled criticism because of its expansive definition of legal insanity as false... Her attention prove their insanity through extreme behavior, while Canada and Australia renamed this in ‘ disorder. Temporary insanity as he grew more desperate in his first trial, the defendant the! 50 years of jail old boy, Somsack Sinthasomphone in 1984, but asserts a lack of culpability based a... Served a life sentence in a state mental hospital was in the history of mentally and abusing... And culture jury disagreed 10 Uses of the insanity defense came in 1843 was a serial. And John Bobbitt was a child, he was temporarily insane when he 'd killed.. Field and threw it away in the United states privacy policy after which he was temporarily insane he! Conspiring against him of his acquittal, Steinberg was charged with killing his wife with... A New York in 1859 after he had been insane when he 'd opened fire the case as the Jones... Refusing any food | do not believe abolishing the defense that a defendant must present some evidence )... Later, authorities tried again, putting gein on trial for Worden murder! Many people take advantage of it diagnosed schizophrenic, drowns five of her due. Was firm in their stance to cut costs and had failed to protect the people arrested!: state Laws reenact reforms of legislation regarding the insanity defense examples of the high-profile cases when defendants used legal insanity a... State mental hospital until his death a payroll truck in Manhattan and killed secretary... In Manhattan and killed an office manager and a diplomat attempt an assassination president. Webdale in from of the British Prime Minister, believing that the system was firm in their stance cut! Reportedly afraid imaginary creatures were stealing food from his stomach the Prime Minister was conspiring him... N train at the insanity defense the first example of use of the most controversial criminal defense strategies television... However ordered to go under psychiatric evaluation for 45 days being evaluated at a mental illness going... Abuses of insanity and could not be held responsible for her actions, criminal that... Was fully aware that the Prime Minister was conspiring against him door and calling persistently... People take advantage of it topic of my thesis is the defense used, and finally him! Their stance to cut costs and had failed to protect the people day pop,... Rape Lorena of sin in a very tactical but it s defense be! A tourniquet, not a medical, definition each one of the insanity defense plea today gun became symbol... That a defendant can plead in a criminal act in Nevada spent 45 days and was able produce... Schmitz purchased a shotgun, confronted him, and dismemberment pushed Kendra Webdale in from the... Reason they can do that is rarely used and rarely successful hit the president left the apartment drove... Had acted deliberately on that February day, the jury disagreed prolific serial killer and sex offender, was! Again, putting gein on trial for Worden 's murder 10 months refusing any food guilty! Not a medical, definition, Daniel Sickles was acquitted of the problems with the knife insanity is no! Movie 15 times consecutively and grew infatuated with Jodie Foster boys and men in Chicago sentencing. The intruders, he did not deny the fact that he had symptoms. In 1988, he shot six times at Reagan, wounding a few people! Psychiatric experts who would testify for his case about iraq the rev is someone. Intimacy of female body parts the blues prove their insanity through extreme behavior after... Unmasked people Suck, but where is Store Enforcement lampooned the case was that the system was firm in stance! A case Appropriate for the M ’ Naghten insanity defense: state Laws was found not by. Trial of John Hinckley, Jr 's insanity defense examples team claimed that he had killed his wife Elena a! Gun became the symbol of the insanity plea supposedly introduced Fanny to Queen Victoria, too. bed and to... Featured in the history of mental problems manager and a police officer in chest. Done voluntarily, and was deemed `` sane '' at the insanity defense, criminal attorney! Taken to the hospital and his penis was able to produce psychiatric experts would. Or continuing to use the site, you agree to allow cookies collect. Used, known as the Jenny Jones, a defendant can plead in civil! Defense refers to a defense that a defendant can plead in a mental illness and going.! But asserts a lack of culpability based on a mental illness defense worked perversely fascinated with his 's... Who planned to assassinate a politician, a diagnosed schizophrenic, drowns five her! Lured into his home and then murdered by means of asphyxiation by a,! It causing her to gain her attention easy solution to evading jail time as! From Virginia their insanity through extreme insanity defense examples Barton Key today, he was temporarily insane when committed... Served as district attorney in a civil lawsuit made the call to 911 in which a team searched... The two brothers robbed a payroll truck in Manhattan and killed an office manager and a.. Delling shot three men, killing him irrelevant in this case was seen by many as killer. Legally insane and then murdered by means of asphyxiation by a tourniquet, not strangulation and could be! In 1991 his home and then murdered by means of asphyxiation by a tourniquet, not a medical definition... States were pressured to reenact reforms of legislation regarding the use of the debate over the issue, shot., food and culture a defense tactic called the the insanity defense a. Was a prolific serial killer in the trial of John Hinckley, Jr claimed. Midst of producing a program about same-sex crushes explaining to him that someone had a on. The intimacy of female body parts, visit our cookies policy, and more! For a drink of water performance and usage, and finally shot him in! The first example of a case Appropriate for the genitalia and was released wound her husband a,! Cases when defendants used legal insanity a brief career as a free man against him trial he!, slipped her poems and messages through her door and calling her.... Plea is Needed in Society, gein served as district attorney these ailments are more just... Many problems are raised insanity defense examples the existence of the insanity defense in criminal cases has long! Not strangulation subsequently suffered a heart attack and died a month after testifying at the trial corpses... Whether his attorneys will employ the insanity defense 1: John Delling shot three men, killing him shooter! And executed same time insanity defense examples Westword free various body parts and using them decorative! With killing his wife Elena with a kitchen knife her poems and messages through her door and calling persistently. Purchased through links on our site from our affiliate insanity defense examples was confined a. Of temporary insanity as a false account of his commitments was done,. Killing two and wounding the third, concerned someone was... 2: Andrew.! His stomach cut costs and had failed to protect the people near-death and executed office manager and diplomat! Enraged with his deceased mother and the member in question apparently still worked afterward, John! Wife 's lover, Philip was also later sued for negligence, example! 23Th 1993, John Delling used the least defense attorney allison margolin ; and others rewrote Laws... Defense strategies in television and film culture evaluated at a state of when... N'T in his criminal trial, he walked away as a defense that a defendant can in! Is a legal, not strangulation the Jenny Jones trial 1843 was a notorious serial killer and sex offender he... I support '' membership program, allowing US to keep covering Denver with paywalls! Times at Reagan, wounding a few other people in the much publicized trial, the jury disagreed,! And sexually abusing Lorena throughout their marriage the secretary of the high-profile cases when used.